Cold Weather Effects On Your Foundation

During the summer, you’re probably not thinking much about how cold weather will affect the foundation of your home, but perhaps you should. The deep freezes that we sometimes experience during the winter in the Maryland region can wreak havoc on your foundation, and this can easily lead to dreaded leaks once the winter snows begin to thaw out. At AA Action Waterproofing, we’ve seen the kind of damage that cold weather can do to foundations all across the region, and we’re here to help you to prepare your foundation for a sound winter ahead.

One thing that many homeowners don’t necessarily realize is that you don’t need a deep freeze to experience the effects of cold weather on your foundation. All it takes is a few consecutive days of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for the weather to have an adverse effect on your home, and in Maryland, it isn’t too rare to see temperatures such as this as early as November and December – before the official winter season really gets underway.

As temperatures drop lower, the soil around your home will contract and then expand when warmed up, and this puts enough pressure on your foundation to cause cracking and damage. When this happens repeatedly throughout a winter season, your foundation will really begin to get a workout, causing cracks large enough to promote serious foundation leaks and even compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Foundation cracks are a leading cause of leaky basements, and you don’t want these cracks contributing to leaks as the ground, and snows, begin to thaw for good. At AA Action Waterproofing, we have professionals that can come and inspect your foundation before the harsh cold weather season gets underway, and this can help you to save your foundation and your home before the real pressure begins. It’s often recommended to have your foundation checked during the end of the summer or the beginning of the fall season, simply so you can be prepared when winter comes.